asked the Minister for Defence if he will state, in relation to the Curragh Detention Centre, to whom the Visiting Committee present their reports; and why the committee have not presented their reports in the month of December in each case as prescribed in section 18 of the Prisons (Visiting Committees) Act, 1925.

The Visiting Committee for the Military Detention Barracks, Curragh Camp, County Kildare present an annual report to the Minister for Defence.

A report has been furnished to the Minister by the committee in respect of each year ended 31st December from 1972 to 1976 inclusive.

Is that report made available to Members of the Oireachtas?

The report is not made available as such to Members of the Oireachtas, but the report is open to inspection without charge and at any reasonable time by anyone who makes application to the Minister for that purpose.